Youth Summer Employment

Recently, Mayor Frank G. Jackson welcomed and congratulated hundreds of Cleveland youth ages 14 to 18 to Mayor Jackson’s 10th Annual Youth Summer Employment Program Commencement Celebration held at the Cleveland Public Hall on Lakeside Avenue in Cleveland. This year’s Summer Youth Employment program empowered participants to learn the importance of hard work and valuable skills that will stay with them as they enter the workforce. 

The Youth Summer Employment Program which began in 200, has grown to over 30 different projects, focusing on various themes and aligning them with Mayor Jackson’s goals and initiatives for providing unique work opportunities for Cleveland’s young people. From 200 to 2015, approximately 2,234 youth have been hired. Various career projects are funded by sponsors to include Cleveland Department of Public Utilities’ Division of Water, Water Pollution Control and Cleveland Public Power and also the sustainability/storm water management related projects in the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.  The City of Cleveland has partnered with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, as the employer of record for the youth, to administrate the community program. Through collaborative efforts and goals of this program, other structured year-round programs have been incorporated including the City of Cleveland Public Power Department of Public Utilities Lineman Apprenticeship Program and the Cleveland State University Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP). 

The impact of the 8-week summer program allowed the youth to be given an opportunity to share their unique work experiences with Mayor Jackson at the 2015 commencement celebration. Over 200 youth employed this summer, departmental sponsors, project leads and Cleveland Browns Youth Summer Employment Program  Alumni, celebrated the achievements of Cleveland youth and who shared their talents with a City who gave them their first job opportunity.